Machine for cutting and wrapping candy kisses, &amp;c.



l E. R.- KNoTT. MACHINE vFOR CUTTING AND WRAPPING CANDY AKISSES, dw.

Patented Apr. 30, 191.2.

I APPLIOATION FILED JANJO, 1910. 1,025,069.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Zznesses: 25e venzor.

y @MQW *Maw otofn @y E. R. KNoTT. MACHINE POR CUTTING AND WRAPPING CANDYKISSES, dw.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 10, 1910. 1,025,069. Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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WLUMBIA PLANMRAPM co., wASHlNuToN, D.

v E. R. KNOTT.

MACHINE POB. CUTTING AND WRAPPING CANDY KISSBS, dw.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1910. 1,025,069.

4 SHBETS-SHEETV3V.

Zznesses: 'l In venam-v @wm Q. KM-

ODLUMIIA PLANOGRAPH ML. WASHINGTON. D.

B.R.KN0TT. MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND WRAPPING CANDY KISSBS, 6m.

APPLICATION FILED JANJO, 1910.

Patented A111230, 1912.

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Mum R. Km 5y Corney PMNMIAPH :0.,WASHINDTON D c l rotary travel of thelinger.

y N l TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUSTACE R. HNOTT, OF SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO E. R. KNOTTMACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Application filed January 10, 1910. Serial No. 537,117.

To @ZZ whom, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EUSTACE R. KNOTT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at reference being had therein tothe accom-v panying drawings.

rIhe invention employs preferably a r0- tary cutting device by which adrawn-out batch of candy is cut up into pieces, and it provides also forsupplying such pieces automatically to the Wrapping instrumentalitieswhereby they are inclosed in wrappers. It includes a species of feederwhich is arranged to rotate, it having o-ne or more tingers operatingrespectively by engagement with the successive pieces of candy toadvance a piece to the required point and then withdraw by a retractingmovement yfrom such piece so as to leave the latter in the desiredposition, undisturbed by the continued rl`his rotary feeder is adaptedfor employment in connection with a traveling conveyer which suppliesthe pieces to the Wrapping instrumentalities, by the feeder beingarranged to deliver the successive pieces to the conveyer, though it isnot necessarily restricted to use in such precise connection. It also isadapted to be employed as a clearer or stripper for the rotary cuttingdevice, although it is not necessarily restricted to such employment.When the device in question is employed as a feeder, simply, it is notin all cases essential that the cutting device employed should be arotary device, or even that a cutting device should be employed as apart of the same machine. By the employment of batch-sizing devices inadvance of the cutting device, I am enabled to size the'batch, cut itinto pieces, deliver the latter successively to the wrappinginstrumentalities, and wrap them.

An embodimentl of the different features of the invention is representedin the drawings, in which lat-ter,-

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a portion of a machine containing thesaid embodiment. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a plan view of the main parts ofsuch machine. Fig. 3, Sheet 1, is a rear view of the supporting guideand first breaker for the wrapping material, and Fig. 4 is a front viewthereof. Fig. 5, Sheet 1, is a view of the second breaker in verticalsection, and Fig. 6 is a front View thereof. Fig. 7, Sheet 2, is a viewof the delivery end of the machine partly broken away. Fig. 8, Sheet',shows the sizing, cutting, and delivering devices in side elevation.Fig. 9, same sheet, shows the same in plan. Figs. 10 and 11 are detailviews of the delivering devices showing the parts in differentpositions. Figs. 12 and 13 are plan views of the parts in positions inwhich they are shown in Figs. 10 and 11, respectively. Fig. 14, Sheet 4,is a front elevation of the parts shown in Figs. 8 to 13, with theaddition of the transverse conveyer. Fig. 15, Sheet 4, is a top view ofa cutter-roll, illustrating the detachability of the blades thereof,portions being broken away. Fig. 16 is a side elevation of suchcutter-roll.

The drawings show a Aconstruction of Wrapping mechanism which mayconveniently be employed. The invention is not restricted totheemployment of this particular mechanism. The following brief descriptionthereof, taken in connection with the description of the preferredembodiment of the different. features in which the invention moreimmediately resides, will be sufficient to render clear to those skilledin the art the best mode in which I have thus far contemplated carryingthe invention into effect.

The features of the wrapping mechanism or devices shown in the drawingsare as follows:

1 is the b ed or .ta-ble of the machine, and 2, Fig. 1, is one of theupright supports for the said bed or table.

4 is the driving shaft extending lengthwise of the machine, and 4a is aband-pulley upon the said shaft for the reception of a suitabledriving-band by which the machine may be driven. The various workingparts of the machine are operatively connected with the said shaft andthereby are actuated.

The wrapping material (paper) in the form of a continuous strip is ledinto the wrapping mechanism over the supportingguide 10, Figs. l, 2 and3, and then under the convex under surface of the first breaker 11, bywhich latter the strip is given a transverse curvature with itsside-portions upturned. After passing the first breaker the stripproceeds to the second breaker 11a, Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 14, the latterbreaker having an acting portion in the shape of a tongue incliningdownwardly and toward the supply-end of the machine. r1`he secondbreaker is supported by means of stand 11b, Fig. 14, and it constitutesan inside guide and former by means of which the transverse curvature ofthe strip of wrapping material is increased while the sideportionst-hereof are allowed to approach each other more closely and occupynearly upright positions. After passing the second breaker thetrough-shaped strip passes through the opening 111 of the stand 11b, thesurrounding wall of such opening con* stituting an outside guide for thestrip. From the outside guide 11b the tro-ughshaped strip passes to thefolder 12, Figs. 1 and 2, the latter being constructed to cause theside-portions of the strip to overlap each other, and having a centralpassageway therethrough of a cross-section suited in its proportions tothe size of the pieces of candy to be wrapped. The said pieces arecaused to pass successively through the passageway by means of thepusher 44, Figs. l and 2, which is mounted pivotally at 4112 upon anupright or standard ab fixed upon bed or table 1, the said pusher beingconnected by rod 4st@ to a rotating crank 44d, Fig. 1, which isgear-driven from the shaft 1. The said pusher operates to push eachpiece of candy in turn along a chute 13, into and through the passagewayof the folder 12, and deliver it within the tubularly folded or formedstrip of wrapping material beyond the forward end ofthe folder. Thetwister is located at 1S, Fig. 1. The folded or tubularly-formed stripof wrapping material passes through the center thereof. By the advancingmovement of the feeder-arm 44 a piece of candy which is pushed forwardthereby inside the said tubularly formed or folded strip of wrappingmaterial is caused to assume a position therein within the twister. Forthe purposes of the twisting, the twister is in gear-connection by means`of the gears ete, Fig. 1, with the shaft 1, and by the rotation of thetwister the required turns or twists are produced in the wrappingmaterial at opposite sides of the piece of candy which is inclosedtherein.

23 and 23a are nippers at the opposite sides of the twister, which clampthe wrapping material for the purpose of locating or confining, close tothe opposite ends of the piece of candy that is being enwrapped, thetwists that are communicated to the tube of wrapping material by therotary movement of the twister.

25, 25a, are crimper-members which are also located at opposite sides ofthe twister and arranged to engage with the marginal twisted at frontand rear thereof. In op-V eration, these grippers are caused to closeupon the tube of wrapping material at the rear of the said enwrappedarticle, at the supply-side of the twister, and then are advancedthrough the twister, pushing the enwrapped article ahead and drawingalong the strip of wrapping material through the machine in readinessfor wrapping the next piece of candy. After opening so as to releasetheir hold upon the tube of wrapping material at the end of theadvancing or feeding movement, the feeding grippers are withdrawn in thereverse direction through the twister to their starting position, wherethey remain in an open condition until it is time to perform the nextfeeding action.

At 34a, Figs. 2 and 7, is a continuouslymoving endless apron at thedelivery side of the twister, upon which is received the enwrappedarticle which has been advanced through and beyond the twister by thefeeding movement of the feeding grippers. rThe said moving apron insuresthat the said article shall advance to the full extent between andbeyond the fixed cutter blade 40a, Figs. 2 and 7, and the movingcutting-blade 41a. The fixed blade 40a is arranged in an uprightposition at one side of the path of the advancing enivrapped article,and the moving blade 41a is carried by a spur-gear 42a which is ingear-connection with the driving-shaft 4 and thereby rotated.

Having reference now to the sizing and cutting devices, such devices aremounted in a supplemental framework a which is supported upon and abovethe bed or table 1. The sizing device comprises essentially the pair ofsizing rolls c, c. The cutting device comprises essentially a pair ofrotary cutters e, e. The framework a is provided with bearings in whichare mount ed the two shafts b, upon which the pair of sizing-rolls c, c,are fixed. The said shafts are in this instance parallel with eachother, and vertical, which I prefer, although 1 do not in all casesrestrict myself in these respects. The said framework is provided alsowith bearings in which are mounted the second pair of shafts d, eZ, uponwhich the pair of rotary cutters e, e', are fixed.

The said shafts cZ, aZ, also are parallel with y each other, andvertical, although I do not limit myself to a strictly parallel orvertical arrangement. The sizing-rolls c, c', and cutters e, e', aremounted upon the upper ends of their respective shafts above the upperhorizontal portion of the framework a, the bearings of the shafts beingbelow the rolls and cutters to aord convenient access to the rolls andcutters and to the candy passing between them. The frame a also isprovided at the front thereof with a bearing at g, Figs. 2, 9 and 14, inwhich is mounted the shaft z', Figs. 11 to 14, of the Hy 7c. The shaftc' is horizontal, and hence the fingers of the fly rotate in a verticalplane.

The sizing and cutting devices are actuated as follows: Shaft Z of thecutter-roll e is extended downward, and operatively combined throughintermediate gearing, etc., at (Z2, Fig. 1, with shaft 4. Thereby thesaid shaft Z and its cutter e are rotated. Spur-gears p, p', Figs. 8 and9 on the respective shafts rZ, CZ', mesh with each other, and throughthem motion is transmitted to the shaft CZ so as to drive the cutter eand thus "cause the two cutters to rotate in unison. Separate trains ofgear-connections lead to the respective shafts Z), b, of thesizing-rolls c, c, whereby the said sizing-rolls are rotated. Suchseparate trains of gearconnections comprise in the case of roll c thespur-gear p, the pair of carrier spurpinions g, g', connected together,and the spur-gear r fixed on shaft ZJ of roll c. The carrierspur-pinions g, g', are shown fixed upon a separate shaft g2 mounted inbearings in the frame a. The pinion g is in mesh with the spur-gear p,and pinion g is in mesh with spur-gear r. The gear-connections in thecase of roll o comprise spurgear p, a pair of carrier spur-pinions (13,(similar to g, g) connected together, and the spur-gear 1" fixed onshaft Zn of roll c. The carrier spur-pinions g3 are fixed upon the shaftgmounted in bearings in frame a.

The fly Zd is rotated by means of a spurgear s fixed on the horizontalshaft Z and meshing with a spur-pinion t xed on iiyshaft z', shaft Zbeing driven from shaft Z by bevel-gearing n, Figs. 8, 9 and 14, thegearing being so proportioned that a finger of the fly shall pass downwithin each opening in succession between the registering blades of thecutters as the latter rotate.

The sizing rolls c, 0, are made with concave peripheries to receive aroll or strip ofA candy, shapeV or form the same somewhat, and reduce itto a uniform diameter. The said peripheries are furnished with pointedspurs 02, c2. These engage with the roll or strip and operate topositively advance it. They also punch holes in the roll or strip,permitting any confined air to escape, which obviates a tendency of suchair to be crowded back by the action of the sizing rolls into bubbles atthe entering side of the rolls. At u is an arched guide located at theentering side of the rolls and having a liaring entrance. A somewhatsimilar guide or arch u, Figs. 2, 8, 9, is located between the sizingrolls c, c, and the cutters e, e. The cutting-blades of the cutters aredisposed radially. A guide-plate u extends from in front of the archedguide u through into proximity to the cutters, and an extension wthereof, Figs. 8 and 12, constitutes an apron or chute extending downand forward in front of the cutters and below the fly. The saidguide-plate 'u has an elevated portion fv, Fig. 8, in front of theentrance between the sizing rolls c, c, such portion serving to upholdthe candy above the lower rims of such rolls, and the said elevatedportion and the top portion of the arch u serving to insure that thecandy shall be received entirely within the concavities of the rolls.The portion of the said guide plate fu that is adjacent the entrancebetween the cutter rolls is elevated sufficiently with respect to thelower ends of the cutter-blades to lift the candy above such ends, whilethe guide u prevents the candy from rising above the upper ends of thecutter-blades. The apron or chute w has raised side-flanges, as shown,which prevent the pieces of candy from scattering laterally. Its upperend extends back in under the lower ends of the cutters to practicallythe point at which the blades of the two rotary cutters come together ormeet, so as to leave the pieces of candy free to drop as soon as theyare struck down by the fingers of the fly. The apron or chute partiallycovers the spur-gears p, p', and prevents the pieces of candy fromfalling upon the same.

For the purpose of enabling the sizes of the pieces of candy to bevaried, the bearings c3, Fig. 9, of the shaft Z2 of sizing-roll o aremade adjustable transversely. This enables the said shaft andsizing-roll to be shifted toward and from the other sizingroll, to varythe closeness of approach of one sizing-roll to the other. By thusvarying the said closeness of approach, the size of the roll or strip ofcandy as it passes between the sizing-rolls is co-rrespondingly varied.The said bearings c3 work in openings in the frame a, and forconvenience in adjusting them they are provided with adjusting screws 04provided with lock-nuts c5.

The fingers of the Hy strike down the pieces of candy from the openingsbetween the blades of the cutter-rolls and deliver the successive piecesof candy into the successive buckets of the transverse conveyer-chain45. The latter passes around sprocket-wheels 45a, 45h, etc., Fig. 14,the wheel 45a being the driver and being actuated to ladvance theconveyer-chain intermittingly by the pinand-star wheel devices 15Cactuated by gearing 45d from the shaft 4. To secure the said delivery,the cutting devices are located in such position that the apron or chutew terminates alongside the outer portion of the said conveyer-chain, thesaid apron or chute being located in line with the stopping position ofone of the buckets of the conveyerchain. During a dwell of the chain inthe working of the machine, a piece of candy is delivered by a finger ofthe fly into the bucket which is in line with the said apron or chute.The ensuing advance of the chain brings the next bucket into position toreceive the succeeding piece of candy, and so on, each bucket receivinga piece in like manner, and the feed movements of the conveyerchainserving to advance the pieces thus received into position to be pushedsuccessively by the feeder-arm 14 through the folder and into positionwithin the folded tube of wrapping material inside the twister. rllhefingers c, 7c, of the fly (see, more particularly, Figs. S to 1li) arecontrived and operated so that as one of such arms, after striking andfollowing down a piece of cantly from between the cutters, arrives atthe lower end of chute or apron w it shall recede or withdraw entirelyclear of the said piece when received Within the bucket in line withsaid chute, leaving the piece within the said bucket. To this end, eachfinger of the fly is connected pivotally by its inner end with the outerend of an arm 7a2 which is rigidly connected t0 the fly-shaft. Eachfinger of the fiy is furnished with a pin or anti-friction roll 703, andthe two ngers are connected together by means of a contracting spiralspring 7a4 which operates to draw the said fingers inwardly toward eachother, causing them to turn upon their pivots. Thereby the said pins oranti-friction rolls are kept pressed into contact with the periphery ofa stationary cam /c upon the inner end of the bearing g for thefly-shaft. As the iiyshaft rotates, carrying the fingers of the flyaround, the pins or anti-friction rolls travel upon the peripheralsurface of the stationary cam. The portions of greater' radius of thesaid cam operate to hold the fingers swung outward from the center ofrotation. The portions of less radius allow the fingers to occupypositions nearer the center of rotation. One of the grades connectingthe peripheral portion of greater throw with the peripheral portion ofless throw is so located that after a fully-projected finger hasdescended between the blades of the rotary cutters as `in Figs. 10 and12, and has approached closely to the entrance of the bucket which is inposition at the lower end of the apron or chute, the pin oranti-friction roll of such linger shall pass to the peripheral portionof less radius or throw of the cam, permitting the spring 704 to swingthe finger backward and inward, as in Figs. 11 and 13, withdrawing itfrom the bucket referred to, and from the piece of candy which has beendeposited therein. Thus the working extremity of each finger of the flyin succession is caused to withdraw and clear the bucket and the pieceof candy which has been received therein. As roll 7c3 travels upon theconcentric portion of least radius, the working end of the fingerremains in its retracted position, so that it passes above the piecewithout disturbing it. An oppositely-located cam-grade acts against theroll 7c3 to move the finger out into its normal working position againas the fiy rotates, and the concentric portion of greatest radius of thecam holds the finger out in such position until after its working endhas passed around between the cutters, and through chute w, to theconveyer again. The number of fingers with which the fly is provided isnot material to the invention.

The cutters e, c', are shown conventionally in Figs. 2, 9, 12 and 13.r1`he construction providing for convenient attachment and removal ofthe cutter-blades e3, c3, is shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16, Sheetet. In the latter figures the cylindrical body e4 of a cutter is shownformed with radiating ribs e5, e5, etc., each corresponding in thicknesswith the interval between two adjacent blades, the said body beingformed with longitudinal grooves between such ribs. The grooves areoccupied by the inner edges of the blades e3, e3, etc., and the clampingblocks es, e, etc. The said grooves and blocks are tapered incross-section, and the blocks are secured in place and caused to clampthe blades against the ribs by means of radially-disposed screws e7, e7,etc., the threaded stems of which enter threaded holes that are tappedin the body 6*. On tightening up the screws the blocks are drawn inwardinto the grooves, to thus clamp and secure the blades. On loosening thescrews the blocks are permitted to move outward. so as to unclamp theblades and permit them to be removed and replaced. Preferably a singleblock and two blades are placed within each groove, one blade at eachside of the block, both blades being secured in place by the block.

lVhat is claimed is 1. The combination with a cutting device, wrappingmechanism, and a conveyer by which pieces of candy from the said deviceare transferred to the said mechanism to be wrapped, of a fly coactingwith the cutting device and delivering to the said conveyer.

2. The combination with a cutting device, wrapping mechanism, and aconveyer traveling below such device and by which pieces of candysupplied by the said device are transferred to the said mechanism to bewrapped, of a Hy working downwardly and delivering from the cuttingdevice to the said conveyer.

3. The combination with a rotary cutting device, a conveyer havingbuckets, and Wrapping mechanism to which the contents of the buckets aredelivered in turn to be successively wrapped, of a rotating Hy havingfingers which work in the openings between the cutter-blades and feedthe cut pieces into the successive pockets of the conveyer.

4. The combination with wrapping mechanism, a moving conveyer deliveringto the said mechanism pieces of candy to be wrapped, and a device bywhich candy is cut into pieces, of a rotating carrier having a fingerworking between the said device and said conveyer which engages with thesaid pieces and delivers them to the conveyer, and means to cause aretracting movement of such finger to clear the pieces received by theconveyer. e 5. The combination with wrapping mechanism, and a conveyerhaving buckets, of a rotating carrier having a finger by which articlesare fed into such buckets, and means to cause such finger to retract onarriving at the buckets, clear of the contents thereof.

6. The combination with a conveyer having buckets, and a cutting device,of a rotating Hy coperating with such cutting device and also deliveringthe pieces cut thereby to the said buckets, said Hy having a fingerwhich engages with the pieces, and means to cause the finger to retracton arriving at the buckets, clear of t-he contents of the latter.

7. In combination, wrapping mechanism, a conveyer, a rotating carrier, afinger movably connected thereto, and means to cause said finger toalternately project into working position, and then retract.

8. In combination, wrapping mechanism, a conveyer, a rotating carrier, aHnger movably connected thereto, and a cam controlling the said Hnger tocause the same to alternately project into working position and retractas the Hy rotates.

9. In combination, wrapping mechanism, a conveyer, a rotating carrier, afinger connected therewith, and a fixed cam controlling the said fingerto cause the same alternately to project for action and to retract.

10. In combination, a rotary cutting device, a conveyer, and a Hycomprising a rotary carrier, a finger movably connected therewith, and a.cam controlling the said finger to cause the same to project so as towork in the intervals between cutting blades and then withdraw orretract to clear the conveyer and the piece that has been deliveredthereto.

11. The combination with wrapping mechanism, and a moving conveyer, of arotating carrier having a linger by which in the rotation of the carrieran article is engaged and moved onto the said conveyer, and means tocause such finger to retract clear of the said article leaving thelatter in place on the conveyer.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUSTACE R. KNOTT.

Witnesses:

CHAs. F. RANDALL, EDITH J. ANDERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing'the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

